Lawn-mower.



W. H. GOLDWELL.

LAWN MOWER.

APPLIOATION FILED APR.4. 1912.

1,043,507, Y Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

- 4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Mill! 7 ,W. H. GOLDWELL. LAWN MOWER.

APPLICATION FILED APR-4. 1912.

1,043,507. Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2v 45' fii Fm BY. I W I W. H. OOLDWEYLL.

LAWN MOWER.

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1,043,507. Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

SHEETS-SHEET 3 AMP W; H. GOLDWB'LL. LAWN MOWER.

APPLICATION FILED APRA, 19 12. 1,043,507. Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

T/VVENTOA ing at Newburgh, 1n the county of and State of New York, have invented cer' uNITiiij STATES PATENT OFFICE.

I e a WILLIALTH. GOIJDWELL, OF NEWBURGH, NEW YORK.

' LAWN-MOWER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 4, 1912. Serial No. 688,419. 1

'To all wiwm it may concern:

'Be it known that I, WILLIA H. Conn- WELL, a citizen of the United States resid- Orange tain new and useful Improvements in Lawn- Mowers; and I do hereby declare the follow ing to be a full, clear, and exact descrlpt on of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to Qt-1o of the same, and the said inventionis fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the said drawmgs, Flgure l is a side view of a motor lawn mower embodying my invention and selectedby me for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

* Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the cutter carrying frame of the motor lawn mower illustrated in Fig. 1 looking toward the left hand side frame thereof,

cutter carrying frame. perspective View of a portion of the cutter and showing the demountable cutter unit in said frame. Fig. 3 is-a similar section looking toward the right hand side frame of the Fig. 4 is a detail carrying frame. Fig. .5 is a similar view showing .the parts openedup where necessary to permit the removal of thecutter unit. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the cutter unit detached. Fig. 7 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 3 showing a modified embodiment of the invention. Fig: '8 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the same modified embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 7.

I operative relation and to so support the cut- Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on line 99, Fig. 8.

One of the objects of my present invention is to provide the cutter carrying frame of a lawn mower, which may be the frame of a hand lawn mower, or horse lawnmower or the cutter carrying frame or part of a motor lawn mower, with a demountable cutter unit, comprising a' stationary knife, a rotary cutter and a light framing for holding said knife and rotary cutter at all times in proper ter unit in the cutter carrying frame, that the torsional strains to which the cutter carrying frame is subjected shall not be transpurposes of illustration, and a modifica- I Pate'ntedNov. 5,1912.

mitted to the cutter unit, thusrelieving theframing of the cutter un'it5and the station ary knife, and rotary cutterlof strains which might tend to temporarily or permanently distort the rotary cutter or the stationary knife or affect their. relative adjustment. In the embodimentof the invention which I havevselected herein to illustrate my invention I have shown the cutter unitrigidly secured to the cutter carrying frame at two separated points at one side of the frame and at a single point at theother side, thereby affording an opportunity for such slight relative movement at one end of the cutter unit with respect to the frame, as to relieve the cuttlng mechanism entirely of; torsional stress, thus conducing to more efficient cut ting with less wear and less danger of injury to the cutting mechanism,-the rotary cutter of which is revolved at very high speed.

Another object of my invention consists in providing means for adjusting the cutter unit vertically with respect to the cutter carrying frame to vary the height of cut, with out changing the relation of the cutter carrying frame to its ground engaging devices. By this means the'height of out can be very nicely and accurately adjusted, and the ground engaging devices need not be adj ustable at all, although the adjustability of the ground engaging devices may be retained if desired, especially in hand or horse drawn mowers, for elevating the cutters'out ofop erative relation with the ground when desired. I

In carrying out this feature of my inven tion I prefer to employ a three point support for the cutter unit, that is to say, I prefer to support it adjustably at two points at the side or end which is rigidly secured to the cutter carrying frame and to support it adjustably at one point at the other side or end, 'so'that the vertical adjustment of the cutter unit shall not interfere with the freedom from torsional strain obtained by the securing devices for the cutter unit.

My invention also comprises the other novel features hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings which show my invention embodied in a motor lawn mower, 1 reprereceive and support a demountable cutter term the V and a steering roller 3. The main or motor traction and lawn rolling rollers frame 1.carries the motor 4,operat1.vely confsprock et 7 on ected with a shaft 5, wh1ch is {geared with Instance of'a sprocket chain 6, ,engaging a the driving shaft 5 and a large sprocket. wheel 8 on the shaft of the rollers, which is provided with 'the well known differential gear tween the shaft and the roller sections to facilitate turning the machine.

In front of the motor frame is the cutter carrying, frame 10, which is propelled by the motor frame, suitable connections between the two frames-being provided, con-.

1 sisting in this instance of arms or links 9,

' to the motor-frame,

,9 pivotally connected to the 'motor frame cross braces or tie rods 28 to stiffen the knife of thedemountable cutter unit, herein-- [the frame, being secured at different adjusted frame construction, and the forward end of each side' frame is provided with a vertitica'l socket 12 in which is secure a block 13, having avertical aperture therethrough to receive the shank carrying a caster wheel14. The caster wheels may be adjustable vertically with respect to the blocks 13 beingcapable of positions by set screws 15, or the vertical ad ustment of the caster wheels may be secured in other ways. -The cutter carrying frame is also preferably provided at its rear end with a transverse ground roller 16, secured to the side frames and adjustable vertically with respect to them, so that it will occupy the desired position in rear of the stationary after described, tive position, rotary cutter from being bent or injured in passing over uneven ground. I prefer to when the latter is in opera- 'connect the rear end of the frame 10 with the arms 9, 9 by slotted links 17, 17 as shown to prevent the rear end-of the frame 10 from dropping at any time below the plane of the ground engaged bythe caster wheels, while permitting the rear end, of the frame 10 to rise if the roller 16 passes over an elevation or obstruction, and thus protect the cutters from injur e The cuttercarrying frameis designed to unit, which is shown detached in Fig. 6. The cutter unit comprises a framing consisting in this instance oftwo side plates 20, 20, connected by tie rods 21, 21, and also by the interposed be:

0 'frame of a caster Wheel clevis,

to protect said knife and the .point at the other located opposite a lmife bar 22, which is preferably bolted rigidly t0 the side plates, and carries the stationaryknife 23. .The side plates 20 also carry the supporting bearings for the rotary. cutter 24. I prefer to provide the cutter unit with means for adjusting the relative positions of the rotary cutter and stationary knife, and in this instance I have shown the rotary cutter adjustable with respect to the stationary knife. To this end" each of the side plates 20- is provided with a pivoted hanger 26 carrying one of the bearings for the shaft 25 of the rotary cutter, said hanger being provided with an adjusting-screw 27 passlng through a portion of the hanger and lying between stationary lugs on the adjacent side bar, to enable the hanger to be adjusted with nicety, and the end plates are provided with apertures larger than the shaft 25 to permit the necessary range of movement of the cutter shaft.

In the embodiment of my in'vention sehave so constructed the parts that the cutter unit when placed in operative position in the cutter carrying frame may be rigidly secured to the left hand frame and secured 'yieldingly to the right hand frame so as to permita slight twisting'movement of the carrying frame with respect to the cutter unit. In this instance the left hand side 11 of the carrying frame, (see Fig. 2) is provided preferably with vertically disposed guide webs or lugs 30, 30, between which the left side plate 20 of the cutter unit fits, and said side plate is provided at its upper end with overhanging projections at front and rear carrying adjusting screws 31,

31 which rest upon the webs or lugs 30, 30 and determine the height of out. I also provide means for positively securing or retaining'the cutter unit in the cutter carrying frame. The securing means as herein shown consists of'a pair of locking screws 32, 32 engaging threaded apertures in horizontal.

portions of the lugs 30, and rigidly secure the efthand' end plate of the cutterunit to the adjacent side frame of the cutter carrying frame, but the parts may be secured together in other ways.

, The right hand end plate 20 see Fig. 3)

is supported centrally and secured centrallj to the. adjacent side frame, in any suitable manner. In the present instance I have shown a single lug- 3O formed in the inner face of the side frame 11, the side plate 20 being provided with a vertically disposed recess 20 to enable it to slide over said lug and said side plate is provided above the recess 2O with a vertically disposed adjusting screw 31 to engage the lug 30", so that the cutter unit is supported on three points, two separated points at one end, and a single end, which is preferably point midway between ,lected' by me for purposes of illustration, I

the points of suspension atthe other end. This constitutes-whatI term a three oint support and permits such slight yie d at the right hand end of the cutter unit,'between it and'the cutter carrying frame, thus relieving the cutter unit from the torsional strains to which the carrying frame may be subjected in passing over uneven ound. Thecutter unit is yieldingly secure to the adjacent side frame at the right hand side ofthe machine at a point which practically coincides with the single point of support at that sideso that the cutter unit may twist to a slight extent upon such single point of support, with respect to the adjacent side frame, as may be necessary to accommodate the torsional strain on the cutter carrying frame, to prevent such strain from twisting the cutter unit. In this instance I .have

shown for this purpose a securin screw 32' which passes through the side rame and lug 30, and through a vertical slot in the side plate 20 (to permit the vertical adjustment of the cutter unit), and is provided with a nut on the'inside of the plate .20.

This connection is sufiiciently loose to permit the slight relative movements of the carrying frame and cutter unit to avoid strain upon thechtter unit-but will hold the cutter unit in its adjusted position during ordinary use.

Each side frame of the cutter carrying frame is provided with a collar 40, to receive the forward end of the adjacent link or push arm 9, these collars being in this instance on the outer faces of the side frames,

and cast integrally therewith. Each of the arms or links 9 is rovided at its forward end with acircular earing portion adapted to loosely surround the collar 40 on the adjacent side frame 11, and said circular hearing portions are rovided on their upper sides with detacha 1e sections 43. secured in cutter, the shaft being provided in this instance with a sprocket wheel FL .In order to facilitate the insertion and removal of the cutter unit it becomes necessary to recess the side frame to accommodate the shaft 25. To this .end the left side frame is provided wit-h a substantially vertical recess as shown, extending down through the collar 40 and I prefer to'clcse this recess by means of' a removable'block 41 fitted therein, and carrying at its lowenend a portion of the collar 40, said block being normally held in place byset screws 42, which engage recesses or apertures'in the said block. The recess in the left side frame isin line with the removable section 43 of the eircular'p'ortionof the push arm 9, so that by removingsaid section 43 and theblock 41, and releasing the securingscrews 32, the cutter" unit can be removed fromfthe cutter carrying frame, without disturbing the adjusted operative relation of the rotary cutter and stationary knife, and without disturbing the devices which control the vertical adjustment of the' cutter unit in the carrying frame, so that the cutter unit can be replaced in the carrying frame in precisely the same adjustment and adjusted relation as before. Thus the cutter unit can be removed, and sent to the factory for repairs without sending any other parts of the machine, or any parts of the'cutter carrying frame, and at the factory the cutter and knife can be laced in exact relative adjustment, which a justment is not affected by placing the cutter unit in the cutter carrying frame. The machine can also be provided with two or more outter units, designed for the same or for different kinds of work, and one cutter unit can be removed and another insertedwithout delay and without requiring the servicesof askilled mechanic, so that thefmachine can be maintained at all times in operative position and maybe equipped at a'moments notice with a different kmd of cutting unit to adapt it for particular classes of work; For example,'the different cutter units maybe provided with rotary cutters having a greater or less number of spiral 7 form no part of my present invention and i may be briefly describedv as follows: The-rotary cutter is-driven in this instance from the motor 4, by means of a suitable sprocket chain 50 from one of two connected idle sprockets 51, 52 on the motor carrying frame,

the other of which is connected by a chain 53 to a driving sprocket 54 on a shaft connected with the motor shaft, this connection permitting the cutter carrying frame to float independently of the motor frame,

rising and falling, tilting forwardly and rearwardly, and rocking transversely with respect to the motor frame, as permitted by the loose pivotal connectitms of the arms or links 9, 9, without affecting the drive of the rotary cutter. Means are also provided for raising the cutter carrying frame off of the m nd and supporting it from the motor ame, when desired consistingof a transthe latter is on the ground. The rock shaft is connected with a suitable hand lever 56 'for operating it by links -(not shown) in the usual manner. The machine is also provided with the usual steering mechanism, and control mechanism for the motor, and the driving connections with the traction rollers, and rotary cutter, but such devices being of a usual and well known character, need not be particularly described.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 I have shown a slight modification of my invention, in which the cutter unitis placed in the cutter carrying frame by a horizontal movement, instead of being lowered vertically into position as in the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive' In Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive the parts which correspond with those shown in the other figures are given the same reference numerals with the letter a following, and except Where the parts are particularly mentioned as being of different construction they will be understood to be substantially identical with the corresponding parts heretofore described. In this embodiment of my invention the side frames 11 are each pro vided with a horizontallyt disposed web or lug 30 on the inner face, and the exterior faces of the side plates 20 of the cutter unit are provided with horizontally disposed recesses to pass over said lugs, said recesses being, however, of greater vertical width 'than the lugs 30? to'permit the vertical adjustment of the cutter unit. The left hand side plate 20 of the cutter unit is provided with vertically disposed adjusting screws 31 '(see Fig. 7), which engage the upper face of the lug 30 and determine the height of cut, and the plate 20 is rigidly secured to the adjacent side frame by securing screws 32; passing through vertical slots in the side fi'aine and engaging threaded apertures in plate 20*. At the right hand end of the Q cutter unit (see Fig. 8) the side plate 20 is five ggjirovi ded with a single vertical adjusting lfscrew 31 engaging the lug 30 and located :Itransverse vertical plane midivay been the screws 3-1, 31 at the other side of the machine, thus affording a three point support for the cutter unit and the side plate 20 is secured to the side frame 11 by a single retaining bolt 32* passing through the side. frame and the lug 30 in vertical line with the adjusting screw 31 so as to permit the cutter carrying frame to twist slightly. without affecting the cutter unit.

In order to permit the insertion and removal of the cutter unit the left side frame, adjacent to the projecting end of the shaft oftlie rotary cutter is recessed horizontally #strains' to which the as shown, the recess extending through the collar 40 and the circular forward portion of the push arm or link 9 is provided wit-h a removable section 43, in line with said recess.

The recess in the side frame and collar 40 need not be filled by a block as in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, unless it is articularly desired, as the push arm or link acts upon the rear unbroken portion of the collar 40 in propelling the cutter carrying frame over the ground.

It will be observed that in the construction shown in Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive the cutter unit can be adjusted vertically in the cutter carrying frame to regulate the height of cut, without reference to the ground engaging devices of said frame, which may or may not be adjustable, and it will be further observed that the torsional strains to which the cut transmitted to the cutter unit, thus avoiding either temporary or permanent disarrangement of the relative positions of the rotary cutter and stationary knife.

The demountable cutter unit per se is not herein specifically claimed as it forms the subject of another application for Letters Patent filed by me.

IVhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a lawn mower, the combination with a cutter carrying frame provided with rotary ground engaging devices for supporting the cutting mechanism when it is in operation, of a cutter unit, comprising a rotary cutter, a stationary knife and a framing for holding said cutter and knife at all times in operative relation with each other, and means for adjusting the position of said cutter unit bodily vertically in said cutter carrying frame to vary the height of cut without affecting the adjustment of the stationary knife with respect .to the rotary cutter.

2. In a'lawn mower,-the combination with a cutter carrying frame provided with rotary ground engaging-devices for supporting the cutting mechanism when it is in operation, of a demountable cutter unit, comprising a rotary cutter, a stationary knife and a framing for holding said cutter and knife at all times in operative relation with, each other, and means for connecting the cutter unit to the cutter carrying frame yieldingly so as to permit a torsional movement of the cutter carrying frame with respect to the cutter unit, whereby the cutting mechanism will not be affected by torsional carrying frame may be subjected.

tary ground engaging devices, of a demountable cutter unit, comprising a rotary cutter,

3. In a lawn mower, the combination with j a cutter carrying frame provided with rooperative relation with each --other, meansfor connecting the cutter unit at one end rigidly -to' the cutter carrying frame, at separate points, and means forconnecting said cutter unit at the other end at a single point, whereby any yielding of the carrying frame under torsional strain will be prevented from affecting the relation of the stationary'knife' and rotary cutter.

5. In a' lawn mower, the combination with a cutter carrying frame provided with rotary ground engaging devices, of a demountable cutter unit, comprising a rotary cutter, a stationary knife and a framing for holding said cutter and lmife at all'times in operative relation with each other, means for adjusting the cutter unit vertically in the cutter carrying frame, to vary the height of cut, and means for'conne'cting said cutter unit to the carrying frame yieldingly so as to permit the cutter carrying frame-to yield under torsional'strains without affecting the cutter unit, or the relation of the rotary cut ter and the stationary knife.

6. In a lawn mower, the combination with a cutter .carrying frame provided with rotary ground-engaging devlces, of a demountable cutter unit, comprising a rotary cutter, a stationary knife and a framing forholding said. cutter and knife at all times in operative relation witheach other, means for adjusting the cutter unit vertically in the cutter carrying frame, and rigid connections between one end of-the cutter unit and one side of the carrying frame, and a yielding connection between the other end of the cutter unit and the other side of the cutter car- 'rying frame whereby the cutter unit and thecutting mechanism carried thereby is protected from the effects of torsional strains to which the cutter carrying frame may be subjected.

' 7. Ina lawn mower, the combination with a cutter carrying frame provided with rotary ground engaging devices, of a'demountable cutter unit, comprising a rotary cuteo ter, a stationary knife and a framing for holdin said cutter and knife at all times in operative relation with each other,; said cutter unit and the cutter. carrying frame being provided the one with vertically adjustable 5 supports engaglng theother, and'mean f r securing the cutter unit in adjusted position in the carrying frame. I

' 8. In a lawn mower, the combination with a cutter carrying frame provided with rotary ground engaging dev1ces,of ademountable cutter unit, comprising "a rotar. cutter, a stationary knife and a framing or holding said cutter and knife at all times in operative relation'with each other, said outter unit and the cutter carrying frame being provided the onewithsupports engaging the other, said supports being located at separated points longitudinally of the carryin frame at one end of the cutter unit, and sing located at a single point at the other end, thereby constituting a'three point suspension for the cutter unit, and means for securing the cutter unit in said carrying frame. v v p .9. In a lawn mower, the combination with a cutter carrying frame provided with rotary ground engaging devices, of a demountable cutter unit, comprising a rotary cutter, a stationary knife and a framing for holding said cutter and knife at all timesin opera tive relation with each other, said cutter unit and the cutter carrying frame being provided the one with vertically adjustable supports engaging theother said supports being located at separated points adjacent to one end of the cutter unit,- and being 10- cated at a single point adjacent to the other end of the cutter unit and means for holding the cutter unit in said carrying frame.

' '10. In a lawn mower, the combination with a cutter carrying frame'provided with rotary ground engaging devices, of a demoun'table cutter'unit, comprising a rotary cutter, a stationary knife and. a framing for holding said cutter and knife at all times in operat1ve relation with each other, said c'utter unit and the carrying frame being provided the one with supports engaging the other, said supports being located at separated points adjacent to one end of the cutter unit, and at a single point at the other end of the cutter unit, thus formingv a three point su port for the cutter unit, means for rigidly c of the carrying frame, adjacent to said separated supports, and means for movably securing the cutter unit to the cutter carrying frame adjacent to the said single support.

' 11-. Ina lawn mower, the combination with a cutter carrying frame provided with rotary ground engaging devices, of a demountable cutter unit, comprising a rotary cutter, a stationary knife and a framing for holding saidcutter and knife at all times in operative relation with each other, said cutter unit and the carrying frame being provided the one with supports engaging a cutter unit, and at a single point at the other amping the cutter unit to the side.

end of the cutter unit, thus forming a three point support for the cutter unit, means for rigidly clamping the cutter unit to the side of the carrying frame, adjacent to said separated supports, and means for movably securing the cutter unit to the cutter carrying frame adjacent to' the said single support, and means for yertically adjust-ing said cutter unit in the cuttercarrying frame.

12. In a lawn mower, the combination with a cutter carrying frame provided with rotary ground engaging devices, of a demountable cutter unit, comprising a rotary cutter, a stationary knife and a framing for holding said cutter and knife at all times in operative relation with each other, said cutter unit and the cutter carrying frame being of the cutter unit; and 55,

whereb rotary ground engaging devlces, of a de-.-

mountable cutter unit, comprising a rotar'j cutter, a stationary knife and a framing for holding said cutter and knife at all't-imes in operative relation with each other, the cutter carrying frame bein providedwith supporting devices havlng horizontally disposed portions, vertically disposed adjusting screws secured to the cutter unit for engaging said supporting devices, and-scouring screws for connecting the cutter unit to the frame.

14. In a lawn mower, the combination with a cutter carrying frame provided with rotary ground engaging devlces, of ade-1 mountable cutter unit, comprising a rotary cutter, .a stationary 'knife and a framing for holding said cutter and knifeat all times in operative relation with each other, the cutter carrying frame being provided ,with supporting devices having horizontally disposed portions, separated vertically" disposed ad usting screwssecured to one end engaging certain of said supporting devices,a single vertlcally disposed adjusting screw secured to the other end of the cutter unit and engaging another, of said supporting devices, means for rigidly clamping the cutter unit to the carryingframe at the end adjacent to said separatedad'justing screws, and means for,

yieldingly securing the other end of the cutter unit to the carrylng frame.

.15; In a lawn mower provided with a -1110tor carrying frame and a cutter carrying frame connected with and sald cutter and knife at all said sup-' devices,

propelled by the motor carrying frame, a demountable cutter unit carried by said cutter carrying frame and comprising a rotary cutter, a stationar knife, and a framing for holding the times in operative relation with each other, whereby the demountable cutter unit may be removed from the cutter carrying frame, without disassembling the latter or disconnecting it from the motor carrying frame.

16. In a lawn '-mower provided with a motor carrying frame having rotary traction devices, a motor mounted on said frame and operatively connected with said traction devices, a cutter c'arrying'frame, provided with its own ground engaging supporting devices and connections between said frames forprop'elllng the cutter carrying frame from the motor carrying frame, a demountable cutter unitcarried by the cutter carrying frame and comprising a rotary cutter, a stationary knife, and a framing for holding said cutter and knife at all times in operative relation with each other, whereby said demountable cutter unit may be removed from the cutter frame without disassembling said frame or disconnecting it from the motor carrying frame.

17. In a. lawn mower provided with a motor carrying frame having rotary tractiondevices, a motor mounted on said frame and operatively connected with said traction devices, a cutter carrying frame, provided with its own ground engaging supporting and connections between said frames for propelling the cutter carrying frame. from the motor carrying frame, a demountable cutter unit carried by the cutter carrying frame, and comprising a rotary cutter, a stationary knife, and a framing for holding said cutter and knife at all times .inoperative relation with each other, a gear member connected to the rotary cutter of the demountable cutter unit, and disconnectible gear connections between said gear member and the motor, whereby said demountable cutter unit can be removed from the cutter carrying frame, and disconnected from the motor, without disassembling the cutter carrying frame, or disconnecting it from the motor carrying frame.

' 1 8. In a lawn mower provided with a motor carrying frame, a motor carried thereby, a. cutter carrying frame comprising connected side frames, and connections between the cutter carrying frame and the motor carrying frame, for propelling the cutter carrying frame by the motor carr ing ame, a demountable cutterunit carrie by the cutter carrying frame, and comprising a rotary cutter, a stationary knife, and a framing for holding said cutter and knife in operative relation with each other, the shaft'of the rotary cutter being extended at 13 one end of said cutter unit, and provided with a gear member, one ofthe side frames 'of the cutter carrying frame being provided motor, whereby the cutter unit-may be re-- moved and replaced without disassembling the cutter carrying frame, or disconnecting it from the motor carrying frame.

19. In a lawn mower provided with a motor carrying frame, a separate cutter carrying frame having its own ground engaging devices and comprising two connected side frames, each provided with a collar, and links connected pivotally to the motor frame, and having their outer ends provided with circular portions engaging said collars, a demountable cutter unit carriedbysaid cutter carrying frame, and comprising a rotary cutter, a stationary (knife and a framing holding said cutter and knife in" operative relation with each other, said rotary cutter having its rotary shaft projecting at one end of the cutter unit beyond said framing and bein provided with a gear member, the side i rame of the cutter carrying frame adjacent to the extended portion of the cutter shaft being cut away throughv one ofrsaid, collars to permit the insertion and removal of the cutter unit, and the circular portion of the adjacent link being provided with a cut away portion adapted to be brought into alinement with the said cut away portion of the side frame, a detachable part for closing the cut away portionof the said circular part, and driving gear connections for clisconnectibly engaging said gear member.

20. In a lawn mower provided with a motor carrying frame, and a motor carried thereby, a separable cutter carrying frame, having two connected side frames, and provided with its own ground engaging supporting devices, and links pivotally connected to the motor carrying frame, and having circular portions pivotally engaging collars on said side frames, ademountable cutter unit carried by said cutter carrying frame, and comprising a rotary cutter, a

stationary knife and a framing for holding said cutter and knife in operative relation with each other, said rotary cutter having its shaft projecting at one end of the cutter unit and provided with a gear member, one of said side frames of the cutter carrying frame, and the adjacent link engaging collar thereof being cut away to accommodate the extension of the cutter shaft, in removing and inserting the cutter unit, the circular portion of the link engaging said collar being also cut away, and a detachable part for closing the cut away portion of said link, said mower being provided with disconnectible gear connections from said gear member on the cutter shaft to the motor on the motor' frame.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature,

in the presence of two witnesses.

v WILLIAM H. COLDWELL.

Witnesses:

L. P. WHITAKER, G. W. WYATT. 

